The first complete translation of the Bible into English, produced by John Wycliffe and his associates (like John Purvey). It was translated from the Latin Vulgate, as the original Greek and Hebrew texts were largely unavailable in the West at the time. The Wycliffe Bible was circulated in handwritten manuscripts and was associated with the Lollard movement, leading to its ban by church authorities.
(N.T. 1526; Pentateuch 1530) William Tyndale produced the first printed English New Testament, translated directly from the original Greek and Hebrew texts. Tyndale's work was highly influential, forming the basis for much of the King James Version, but he was executed for heresy in 1536.
The first complete printed Bible in the English language, translated by Myles Coverdale. Unlike Tyndale, Coverdale was not proficient in the original languages and relied on Tyndale's work, the Latin Vulgate, and German translations.
The first English Bible authorized for public use in churches, commissioned by King Henry VIII and edited by Myles Coverdale. It was a large pulpit folio, which is why it was called "Great".
Translated by English Protestant exiles in Geneva, Switzerland, it was the first English Bible to use numbered verses and included extensive marginal notes with Calvinistic viewpoints. It became very popular among the common people and the Puritan pilgrims who settled in America.
A revision of the Great Bible by several bishops, intended to be the official version for the Church of England as an alternative to the popular, but controversial, Geneva Bible.
(N.T. 1582; O.T. 1610) The first complete English Catholic Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate by exiled English Catholic scholars.Â
Also known as the Authorized Version, this translation was commissioned by King James I and produced by a committee of 54 scholars. Building upon previous translations (especially Tyndale's), it became the dominant English Bible for over 350 years, renowned for its literary quality and influence on the English language.
What is The King James Version Of The Bible? History And Significance of the KJV - Jacob Edson (Bible Gateway)
Facebook post on Robert Barker, the publisher of the Wicked Bible
The first major revision of the KJV, aiming to incorporate advances in biblical scholarship and the discovery of older, more reliable manuscripts.
The American counterpart to the RV, it made slight changes to the English usage and became a foundation for many later American translations.
A revision of the ASV that sought to modernize the language while maintaining a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach.
Also known as "Today's English Version" (TEV).
A thought-for-thought translation with easily understood language suitable for people for whom English is a second language.
Developed as a "modern and accurate word for word English translation," it is valued for its literalness and is popular among conservative evangelicals and serious Bible students.
A paraphrase rather than a translation, produced by Kenneth Taylor, originally for his children. The LB became very popular because of its very accessible language and ease of understanding.
Based primarily on the American Standard Version (1901).
A "dynamic equivalence" (thought-for-thought) translation that aimed for clarity and readability in contemporary English. It became one of the best-selling modern translations.
A modern English version that maintains the literary style and textual basis of the original KJV, but uses updated language.
An inclusive-language revision of the RSV, widely used in academic and mainline Protestant churches.
Uses simple everyday language.
Based on Kenneth Taylors The Living Bible (1971) for ease of understanding but a translation rather than a paraphrase and produced by a team of scholars.
N.T. 1999; O.T. 2004. Later editions in 2009 and 2017 (Christian Standard Bible). Published by Lifeway Christian Resources (Southern Baptist Convention publishing arm).
An "essentially literal" translation that balances accuracy with literary excellence, gaining rapid acceptance in Reformed and conservative evangelical circles.
A paraphrase by pastor and scholar, Eugene Peterson. Designed to be a highly readable, thought-for-thought paraphrase in modern English, capturing the original spirit of the biblical texts.
There are some Christians who believe that the only God-inspired English translation of the Bible. Please consider the following.
If the original intention was to refer to all people, are gender-neutral translations actually more accurate?